Good morning, Shocker Nation. The NCAA announced that the 2026 and 2027 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament semifinals and finals will be at Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus. This will be the first year that Wichita will host the final WBIT games. Wichita has experience hosting women's basketball tournament games, most recently when it hosted a March Madness regional in 2022.

🏀 : FULL INFO/DATES

What else are we mixing into today’s edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!

🎟️ WSU to host final WBIT games in 2026, 2027
🎾 Men’s + Women’s Tennis make a big impression in final rankings
🌾 And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Queens of the Court. The Wichita State women's tennis team was mentioned multiple times on Wednesday morning when the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the Mid-Major and Regional Rankings for the 2025 season.
 
The Shockers were ranked No. 15 in the ITA Mid-Major Poll, their highest ranking in the poll since its establishment in 2021, surpassing their previous No. 25 ranking from the 2023 season. They were one of seven AAC teams to appear in the poll. 
 
🎾 : MORE ON THE SQUAD’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Singled Out. After taking time to recognize the stellar season the WSU women’s tennis team had, we’d be remiss not to admire this high ranking by squad member Xin Tong!

🔼 Squad Goals. The Wichita State men's tennis team was ranked No. 7 in the Central Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in their end-of-year regional rankings. 
 
The Shockers' regional ranking is their first regional team rank since 2023, when they were also ranked seventh. Among the Central Region, the Shockers are the third-ranked AAC team in the region.
 
Additionally, Kristof Minarik was ranked No. 20 in the Central Region in singles, marking the first ranking since 2023, when Minarik was also ranked No. 20. 

🔼 Eilert On the Map. Wichita State MBB assistant coach Josh Eilert has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2025 TopConnect Basketball Symposium on Monday, June 9.

TopConnect identifies the top assistant basketball coaches in the country and connects them with mid-major Athletic Directors providing tremendous networking and leadership development opportunities for both parties.
 
In its eighth year, TopConnect develops educational programming that allows these top assistant coaches to hear from a variety of prominent and successful coaches and industry leaders.
 
ℹ️ Go here to learn more, including the coaches/A.D.s selected to participate. 🏀

🔼 No Rest For the Weary. The Shockers WBB team is already putting in the work! 💪🏼

🌾 SHOCKER TRIVIA

One is NOT the Loneliest Number. During what season did the Shockers MBB team achieve its first No. 1 national ranking?

Think you know the answer? Scroll to the bottom to find out!

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📆 ON THE DOCKET

*All times CST

Wednesday, June 11-Saturday, June 14
👟 Track & Field @ NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene Oregon

Thursday, June 19-Sunday, June 22
👟 Track & Field @ USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene Oregon

Friday, August 1-Sunday, August 3
👟 Track & Field @ USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene Oregon

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🤓 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: The 1964-65 season!

Under Coach Gary Thompson, the Shockers MBB team achieved its first No. 1 national ranking and reached the Final Four during the 1964-65 season. The team lost to the defending national champion UCLA in the national semifinal by a score of 108-89.

🌾 Have an amazing weekend, Shocker Nation!